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Speed enforcement in WY

Sunday morning there was an increased law enforcement presence. I took Hwy 59 south out of Gillette and was surprised to see 3 of Gillette's finest running radar not at the incoming traffic, but at the outgoing traffic. Which at that time was a large number of BMW's. Then later out in the open on Hwy 59 I saw a WY Trooper on the side of the road chatting with a couple on an RT with CO plates. OOPS!

Personal Responsibility is something thats greatly lacking in the general public these days. While I would reserve my rights provided by the Constitution. I would pay the fine. I did it and I was caught, I'll do what it takes to make amends to the State.

I've also been in the "outrun the storm mode". If the State Trooper I met wanted he could have citied me for at least 20 MPH over the limit. When we meet he did slam on his brakes....then I think he realized what and why I was traveling at such an elevated speed. Was I lucky? Yes, would I have paid the fine? Yes. Would I have wanted to sit in his Crown Vic? Oh hell yes the storm was closing in fast.

Unfortunately I got pulled over twice (Wyoming) , once in town of all places. While trying to keep my speed down to 30 mph (been running 78 all day), I got clocked doing 38 mph, actually surprised he was pulling me over for only 8 over. I was reaching down to the tank bag for the water hose to the camel back when he clocked me, the detector went off then it was too late. He pulled out behind me w/ lights on of course. I pulled over but turned off the detector, long story short I was pleasant to him and received a warning. Plus asked about a few roads.

Believe it or not the next day (crap running for 1800 miles on open roads at 9 mph over and never a problem), I was pulling out between two gas stations onto the main street and believing that the stations were just next to each other and NOT SEPARATED BY A STREET, I pulled diagonally out between the two stations not stopping of course.....you guessed it in front of an unmarked cop. Now I was pretty aggravated as I could have sworn I did NOTHING wrong....unless they have photo radar in the South end of Bighorn and they were looking for me.

So I was a little PO'd, I removed my helmet while walking back to the officer (they don't like that either) and said in a less than friendly voice,"what did you pull me over for?!!" . Seems the two gas stations were separated by a street and STOP sign.

I was prepared to receive a ticket as his attitude was about like mine...less than pleasant. Did I mention that my insurance card was expired, found that out yesterday!!! I explained to the officer that I really thought that I was pulling out between two businesses and didn't realize there was a street separating the two (at home curbs separate businesses and streets), much less a stop sign.

SO, can you believe the officer ended up giving me a warning, and a talking to about carrying expired insurance? He suggested since I was traveling it would be wise to get a copy faxed to me, which I did later that day.

Leaving Gillette on Sunday, I headed north out of town on 59 and didn't see a cop of any sort at all. I think the only LEO I saw was while sitting at Devil's Tower on Saturday, a state trooper in a Charger went by.

Robert2010 Suzuki GSX1250SEA
ÔÇ£If you get in too far over your head, remember - full throttle and make it spectacular!ÔÇØ http://www.yearroundriders.com

Had a great time at the Rally in Gillette! My first one and now looking forward to many more! Met a whole bunch of really nice folks and got to see some breathtaking views and ride some spectacular roads touring out and back.

I'm not sure if it's appropriate or not to ask for legal (?) help here - if not, my apologies in advance! What I'm in need of is some legal representation for a speeding ticket I received on Highway 141 in or near the county/city/town of Sweetwater. There really wasn't much out there but a whole lot of flat land and an approaching storm the size of Rhode Island (and of course a Wyoming State Trooper!).

If anyone has a referral to a paralegal or lawyer who can show up in court for me and get this reduced I'd appreciate the info either here or a private email. Any advice really would be appreciated, Thanks!

I would talk to your insurance agent in NY and see how much a ticket will raise your rates. Could be a lot less than fighting it. As far as points go, one speeder and "doody". 2 start thinking. 3 - Well, bring popcorn for DMV movies they make you watch on Saturday. Check the NYS DMV site for point duration too. I think they are 36 or 40 months now.
I googled traffic lawyers in WY and you are SOL. Closest is Cheyenne, 250+ miles away. Where do you have to appear?

Sunday morning there was an increased law enforcement presence. I took Hwy 59 south out of Gillette and was surprised to see 3 of Gillette's finest running radar not at the incoming traffic, but at the outgoing traffic. Which at that time was a large number of BMW's. Then later out in the open on Hwy 59 I saw a WY Trooper on the side of the road chatting with a couple on an RT with CO plates. OOPS!

Personal Responsibility is something thats greatly lacking in the general public these days. While I would reserve my rights provided by the Constitution. I would pay the fine. I did it and I was caught, I'll do what it takes to make amends to the State.

I've also been in the "outrun the storm mode". If the State Trooper I met wanted he could have citied me for at least 20 MPH over the limit. When we meet he did slam on his brakes....then I think he realized what and why I was traveling at such an elevated speed. Was I lucky? Yes, would I have paid the fine? Yes. Would I have wanted to sit in his Crown Vic? Oh hell yes the storm was closing in fast.

I liked your comments on "personal responsibility" and "reserve my rights provided by the Constitution."

I often reflect on my memories of my parent's generation, it having survived the global turmoil of WW II, and how 'personal responsiblity' was a way of life...an expectation of maturity.

Nowadays, there are so many slick avenues out of taking responsiblity, whether they be legal loopholes, corrupt lawyers, crooked cops, political influence, etc. that we are nuturing a society devoid of shame, dignity and honor.

A speeding ticket (ANY ticket) sucks, and the subsequent fine and point assessment will hurt. That's why they're something to be avoided!

But the original poster of this thread didn't deny her speeding. Therefore, while she has a 'Constitutional right to counsel,' she has no need for counsel. Decision to Speed + Getting Caught + Getting Ticket = Pay Ticket.

You know what happens when you make an effort to take more personal responsibility for your behavior? Your behavior improves, you feel better about yourself as a person, and your outlook on life becomes so much more positive.

Give it a try. If it doesn't quite work out, the ACLU will always maintain a toll-free number.

I don't see why you wouldn't - usually it takes calling a local attorney who will often work with the prosecutor to reduce the charges before it even gets to court. The costs are usually a bit more than just the fine, but in the long run it usually pays off.

A speeding ticket (ANY ticket) sucks, and the subsequent fine and point assessment will hurt. That's why they're something to be avoided!

I liked your comments on "personal responsibility" and "reserve my rights provided by the Constitution."

I often reflect on my memories of my parent's generation, it having survived the global turmoil of WW II, and how 'personal responsiblity' was a way of life...an expectation of maturity.

Nowadays, there are so many slick avenues out of taking responsiblity, whether they be legal loopholes, corrupt lawyers, crooked cops, political influence, etc. that we are nuturing a society devoid of shame, dignity and honor.

A speeding ticket (ANY ticket) sucks, and the subsequent fine and point assessment will hurt. That's why they're something to be avoided!

But the original poster of this thread didn't deny her speeding. Therefore, while she has a 'Constitutional right to counsel,' she has no need for counsel. Decision to Speed + Getting Caught + Getting Ticket = Pay Ticket.

You know what happens when you make an effort to take more personal responsibility for your behavior? Your behavior improves, you feel better about yourself as a person, and your outlook on life becomes so much more positive.

Give it a try. If it doesn't quite work out, the ACLU will always maintain a toll-free number.

Amen to this line of thought. Age, along with self modulating responsibility resulted in a much happier life for me.

I can't help because I've never fought a ticket. Even the ones I thought I didn't deserve I paid because of the many times I didn't get a ticket when I deserved one.

Not many years ago I got stopped 6 times in 8 months in various parts of the US and Canada, with never a ticket. The sixth time was by a trooper outside Greybull WY for going 72 in a 65 zone. At that point I figured the universe was trying to tell me something and so I slowed down (mostly).

Now that I've lived out here a while, I have found that generally the Wyoming LEOs - state and local - expect a lot closer adherence to the speed limit than do they in the more populous states.

speeding ticket

I have had a few tickets and always lawyer up and make it go away. It will cost more but no moving violation points. You usually won't have to show up, that's what the lawyer does for his $300 or so. It is just the system. The local lawyer knows the prosecutor and they just work a deal. You still pay the fine so the local jurisdiction gets their pound of flesh (after all, isn't that what it is really about?) and you get a ticket for a faulty turn signal or tail light.

If you want to speed, get a good radar detector and use common sense. Don't crest a hill or round a curve 15 over. Even with a radar detector, instant on will get you every time. I saw several Troopers/locals around Gillette, two writing up speeders. All were heading away from town.

In my opinion, laws are the basis of civillization, not a voluntary tax.

As others have posted, it's best in my opinion, to take responsibility for my own actions.

A couple of issues here. I get the ticket and yeah, they are getting steep. $185 for 80 in a 65 on the Maine Turnpike a couple of weeks ago. I pay it. Cost of doing business.

My issue isn't with the ticket, it's with the $600 - $800 that gets tacked onto my ticket by the insurance company, payable over the next 4 or 5 years. And it gets worse -- that $600-$800 is for EACH vehicle I register and insure in Massachusetts.

It's the blatant inequity of the penalty that pisses me off. And we keep electing the same old moonbats who write the laws.

Salty Fog Rally 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014 And DRAT! Missed the last one in 2015!

I think Mike was trying to point out the difference between a civil infraction, a ticket that results in a fine and frequently points, and a criminal violation of a misdemeanor or felony, which can carry the threat of arrest and imprisonment.

There is a reason why you are asked to sign such a citation at the time it is issued - it is to acknowledge that you may either either admit fault and pay the fine or go to court to contest the citation. While I respect those who gladly avail themselves of the first option, frankly it frightens me that many of those same folks feel there is some moral high ground that prevents opting for the second option, an option that is codified in and guaranteed by the very same set of laws.

I continue to be amazed at the number of motorists who speed 10 or 20 + with seeming impunity. It seems that speeding enforcement must be perceived by these folks as worth taking the risk of a citation. Many times I was passed by packs of cars seemingly beating my 5-10 by a large margin.

I try to stay under 10 and lately even closer if the limit is on the high side (75-80). I remember the dreadful days of the 55 mph limit and am very grateful that now in most places we can legally drive at 65+.

A few times on my trip I was restricted to 55 and it brought back bad memories from the 70's.